Supporting our credit union community

As 2017 comes to a close and we prepare to spend time with family and friends over the holiday season, it’s fitting to talk about giving back – to get out and make a difference in our communities.

In fact, one of the more satisfying elements of my role is seeing my colleagues do just that, year-round. The credit union movement stands apart from the many others in the financial services industry through our genuine commitment to helping the communities we serve.

But this year, let us not forget the other community that needs our support – the one I’m so proud to be a part of: our credit union community.

There are still credit union people struggling to recover from the hurricanes in Puerto Rico, Florida and Texas. And, let’s not forget about those in California who continue to suffer through a series of catastrophic wildfires.

One way to directly help is to donate to CUAid, the National Credit Union Foundation’s disaster relief fund. Every penny raised goes to support credit union employees and volunteers in areas affected by natural disasters. And the CUNA Mutual Foundation has pledged tomatch all new donations, up to $100,000, now until December 31, 2017.

In times of crisis, we have always come together, rallying as a cooperative movement to support a common cause. We may belong to Credit Union X or Credit Union Y, but we all know it’s not the name above the door that makes a difference; it’s the people walking through it – from member to teller, branch manager to CEO.

So let us make a difference now for our friends and colleagues who need us. Let us demonstrate that our founding principle of ‘People Helping People’ is as true today as it ever has been, and that while the news cameras may have moved on, we have not.

Beth Cutler is the Community Relations Director for CUNA Mutual Group and the Foundation Leader for the CUNA Mutual Group Foundation. Contact her at Beth.Cutler@cunamutual.com. Web: https://www.cunamutual.comDetails